Fromanearlyage,Malory Marlinknew exactlywhatshe was good at.She hadbeenblessedwith a natural ability for the finearts,andacreativitythatcomplemented it.

Throughoutherhighschool years,she consistentlyexcelledat regular andadvancedplacementart classes,gainingrecognitionfromherteachersandclassmates,andeven from the local community, by being named an Academic All Star in Art by the local newspaper.

As her graduation date approached, questions about her future plans were asked frequently, particularly by family and friends. Marlin always had the same answer: “I don’t know.”

Marlin, like many other young students who find themselves preferring humanities and arts over math and science, had the perception that a career in the arts was frowned upon.

“I felt like I would disappoint everyone. I mean, art is what I’m good at, but a lot of people don’t think very highly of an art degree,” said Marlin. “I found myself questioning what I would do and deciding between doing what I like or doing what will secure my future.”

It is not hard to figure out why so many students andparents find ithardtoovercomethe stigmaof the “starving artist.” Recent studiesby theCenter on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University and by the U.S. Census Bureau point out that those who receive degrees in engineering, computer science, mathematics and business are more likely to find a job and to sustain stable income.

Another study by the National Association of Colleges and Employees suggested that majors in accounting, engineering and computer science are more likely to find a job right after graduation.

Meanwhile, many careers in the liberal and fine arts are consistently featured in the media as having the lowest median income and highest unemployment rate after graduation, fueling the ongoing perception that “soft degrees” are easy and not-so-useful, while those in the technical fields pay the bills.

After much soul-searching, Marlin decided to pursue a degree inwhatshe didbest,art.She isnowa junior at Mississippi University for Women, and expects to graduate in 2015 with a concentration in printmaking.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Marlin. “I even missed a few scholarship deadlines just thinking about it. But I just didn’t know. Even my advisor didn’t know how to help me.”

The first person that Marlin met at MUW was Shawn Dickey, the art department chair, and her college advisor. He has seen cases like Marlin many times before.

“Yeah, I think there is a problem. We see it in high schools too, where art programs, music programs and theater programs are the first things to get cut,” he says.

Dickey happens to have a degree in biology.

“I never use it,” Dickey said. “I would rather make arts and make a living. I am not gonna be rich, but I would rather do that and be happy andexpress myself, thanbesuckedin a 9-to-5 job somewherewhereI’m pushingpaper,or havingtodo somethingwhereI’mnot beingcreative.And thatiswhatI tellmy students.”

“Lotsof peoplethinkof artas aneasythingtodo, butnotonlyisithard,butisalsoverycompetitive. Therearethousands of applicantsto a few jobs out there, and even moreifyou movetothebiggercities,”saidMarlinwithconcern.